OUR CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO HALLOWEEN TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY!

TELL THE TRUTH TO YOUR CHILDREN! Christian, Halloween is not a night to As a believer, keep yourselves hidden from the evil outside What do I need Many Christians feel pressure to (John 17:18). The Bible tells us we are to be a to know about celebrate Halloween because they do not want source of light for those struggling in the HALLOWEEN? their children to feel left out or cheated. But darkness of this world. Brethren, every other brethren how can we benefit our children by night of the year we have to go to others to tell allowing them to take part in such an evil day? them of the Light - Jesus Christ (John 8:12). But Our children are just as capable of understanding on Halloween they come to us! On the cold autumn evening of October the truth as we are. And the truth is the only Think about the following suggestions 31st each year is celebrated the holiday known thing that we have that will free us from the when staying home this Halloween. First, get the as Halloween. Children get dressed up in bondage of sin, and empower us to stand best candy you can afford and attach a good costumes ranging from Super-heroes to cute victorious against Satan and his deceptions. gospel tract to it: The candy will help let them little cartoon characters, from devils to angels, When Jesus was about to give His life for know that you care and are more than just a and from monsters to any other thing that can the sins of the world He prayed this prayer; religious zealot. And the tract will be the best be imagined. They then go door to door and "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of treat that they will receive all night. Second, receive candy from those who marvel at the the world, but that thou shouldest keep them when giving out tracts to children, a visually efforts that went into each little costume. from the evil (The evil one - Satan). They are not appealing, easily understood type tract works All of this seems like good innocent fun, of the world, even as I am not of the world. best. Graphics help capture their attention, and and yet, Halloween has a darker side. It is a time Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is being written closer to their reading level, it will that celebrates death, horror, wickedness, and truth (John 17:15-17)". That word sanctify means have a better chance of getting read and being other things that are designed to put fear and "to set apart or to separate". The best way then understood! Third, make sure the tract has the thoughts of evil into the hearts of men, women, to separate our children from Satan's influence is name, address and phone number of the church and children! (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). to tell them the truth! We must tell them the on it. If the child that receives the tract has As Christians it is important for us to truth, according to the Bible, about Satan and questions, or if they get saved, they will need to understand what to do about this issue. The Halloween. Brethren they will understand, have a faithful resource to lead them in the truth, most important thing to remember concerning especially when they know all the facts. and a church home where they can serve their Halloween is that it involves our children! The NOTE: Parents take care, that when you new found Savior! Bible says "Train up a child in the way he should teach your children, not to allow them to become go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" judgmental of their friends who take part in May the Lord richly bless you as you (Proverbs 22:6). Satan also understands this Halloween (1 Corinthians 8:1). But do give them consider this important issue! truth! If Satan can impact our children's hearts enough understanding so that they will be able while they are young, they will be more likely to to stand, upon their own beliefs, when faced with follow his sinful ways when they are grown. Liberty Baptist Church certain opposition and possible ridicule! Brethren, Halloween is a battle for the hearts and 610 S. Eisenhower minds of our children! The best thing that we Monett, MO 65708 can do then is to educate ourselves on this issue. Mark Bradshaw, Pastor Once we know the facts we can then base our (417)-235-6718 or (417)-235-5985 decision about Halloween upon a good solid foundation. THE HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN THINGS ASSOCIATED WITH HALLOWEEN Bonfires HALLOWEEN'S BEGINNINGS As Halloween has evolved it has taken on added meaning through the years. It started as a Halloween means "holy evening". It was Bonfires were used in two ways. Initially celebration to honor the dead, but has become named this because it is the night before All they were placed on the tops of hills to protect associated with all things evil. Notice some of the Saints Day (November 1). All Saints Day was a them from the wandering spirits. But the name following examples: time established by the Roman Catholic Church to bonfire means "Bone Fire". Halloween (Samhain) honor all saints. All Saints Day was originally was a festival to the "Lord of Death". The Lord of Witches celebrated in May, but in the year 834 A.D. it was Death had to be appeased and animal or human moved to coincide with the Celtic festival called These were women who had the ability to sacrifices were made to satisfy this pagan deity Samhain. (The Celts were Northern and Western fly through the sky upon broomsticks. They were (Leviticus 18:21). Europeans who had recently been "converted" to assumed to be women who had sold their souls to the Roman Catholic faith. To help accommodate the Devil. On Halloween they were said to have Divination their reception into the Church, Samhain became danced on the hilltops, with goblins and imps, All Hallows Eve, hence Halloween. Samhain was while the Devil himself played the bagpipes or Since Halloween was the eve of the the rough equivalent to our New Years Eve, with castanets made of dead men's bones (skeletons). coming year, many people sought information the Celtic New Year beginning November 1st). Men feared these wicked women with their evil about their future. They bobbed for apples, cut Samhain was a fire festival honoring those activities and spells. Witches kept black cats who out the entrails of animals, and went to fortune who had died the previous year (Hence the natural served as their familiar spirits. Familiar spirits are tellers to learn; who they would marry, the connection to All Saints Day). Fires were built in basically demons who keep the witches informed condition of their crops, and other desired the fire places and meat cooked on spits in the about the affairs of men (1 Samuel 28:7-8). information (Isaiah 8:19-20). belief that the departed dead would return to their homes to warm themselves and enjoy the aroma Jack-o'-Lanterns of the cooking food. It was also associated with CURRENT EVENTS WE MUST CONSIDER death in that November brings in the darkest and Two tales are given for these. First is that most barren time of the year. Because of this it a stingy Irishman named Jack used to love to play It is easy to ignore Halloween's past. We took on a sinister significance, and all kinds of evil tricks on the Devil. When he died he was can simply say, "That is what it used to be but it practices soon became associated with it. Most of condemned to wander the world, neither in does not mean that any longer". Well please think the things we do today to celebrate Halloween Heaven or Hell. The second concerns the Druids about the following modern day facts. Halloween have their roots in this pagan holiday. (These were nature worshipers who made animal is Satanism's most unholy night. Child and animal Today Halloween is a time for; mischief and human sacrifices along with other occult abductions increase at this time of year. Children and pranks, celebration of death and the dead, and practices). They would go around asking for every year end up in hospital rooms because of a time to explore all things evil. Things that would goods. If the desired goods were not given they Satanic sacrifices made through tainted candy be condemned at all other times during the year would "trick" or curse the occupant of the house. and treats. And the most tragic part is that, as are accepted as normal on this evil night. On If the goods were received they would leave a Christians, and as a Nation, we choose to Halloween we see; destructive pranks (slashed carved out turnip that would protect the house disregard the facts about Halloween by chalking tires and broken windows), immodest dress from the evil spirits active on that night (NOTE: it all up to childish pranks and mischievous fun. (revealing costumes), and "dabbling" in the occult This confuses the fact that Heaven and Hell are Brethren wake up to the facts and take a (ghost stories, vampires, black cats, witches, the only two places we can go after death (Luke stand for the Lord, for righteousness, and for your wizards, and crystal balls). All of this in the name 16:25-26). And it blasphemes the Passover children! of "innocent" fun. account (Exodus 12:21-23).